Crowds bouled over at annual tournament
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HUNDREDS gathered for arguably the biggest event on the Sherston community calendar as the relatively quiet village was once again transformed into a giant boules pitch.

Sherston's typically ancient and English high street was closed to traffic and transformed into a series of boules courts as 128 teams took part in the Sherston Boules Tournament as part of Sherston Boules Festival on Saturday.

The village has been hosting Britain’s largest single-day boules event which is scheduled to coincide with France’s Bastille Day celebrations, since 1987.

It was the brain child of vicar Hugh Thomson Glover and village GP Dr Colin Owen which grew in popularity before merging with Sherston Carnival in 1993.

Boules teams from all over the world descend upon Sherston in the hopes of being crowned the ultimate champions.

Chairman of the Sherston Boules festival committee Pip Pettitt, said: "This year’s tournament and festival was really good, very much helped by the weather.

"We had a really good crowd of people turn up and supporters at the pitches.

"The games started at 9am after a peal of the bells, through until 6.30pm when two teams were left. It was lovely.

"We had an old fashioned vintage steam engine come down the high street at 10 o’clock.

"It was a big crowd pleaser and the Angel Hotel doing lunches too.

"It was originally just on the one day but it has grown."

Alongside the tournament, some teams got geared up in fancy dress and there was even some matches for children to take part in.

Having a break from the competition, spectators and competitors could enjoy some of the food on offer, visit craft stalls, have a go on the bouncy castle, take part in an assault course or even step away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy a movie or two.